Seat trim integrated grab handles for off road vehicles
A vehicle seating assembly includes a frame and a seat that includes a cushion and a cushion cover. The seat defines a handle slot. A retractable handle is disposed in the handle slot and is operable between a retracted position and a deployed position. The retractable handle includes an elongate flexible body having first and second ends fixedly coupled with the frame, and first and second stretchable members operably coupled with the first and second ends, respectively, and configured to draw down a portion of the elongate flexible body. A graspable webbing is disposed between the first and second stretchable members, wherein the graspable webbing is configured to be grabbed by a user and drawn away from the frame which stretches the first and second stretchable members.
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The present disclosure generally relates to grab handles positioned inside a vehicle, and more specifically, to seat trim integrated grab handles for off road vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURETraditional grab handles are positioned within a vehicle and are typically secured to the frame in places that are easy for a passenger or driver to grab. Unfortunately, the grab handles are often bulky and take up interior space within the cabin of the vehicle. The proposed constructions as set forth herein require minimal cabin space, yet provide a sturdy and reliable grab handle that can be grasped during travel over rough terrain.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREAccording to one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle seating assembly includes a frame and a seat that includes a cushion and a cushion cover. The seat defines a handle slot. A retractable handle is disposed in the handle slot and is operable between a retracted position and a deployed position. The retractable handle includes an elongate flexible body having first and second ends fixedly coupled with the frame, and first and second stretchable members operably coupled with the first and second ends, respectively, and configured to draw down a portion of the elongate flexible body. A graspable webbing is disposed between the first and second stretchable members, wherein the graspable webbing is configured to be grabbed by a user and drawn away from the frame which stretches the first and second stretchable members.
Embodiments of the first aspect of the disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:
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- the first and second stretchable members are comprised of an elastic material;
- the first and second ends limit the distance of stretch of the first and second stretchable members;
- the first and second stretchable members include a stretchable member segment that is fixedly attached to a flexible body segment and wherein the flexible body segment includes a length greater than the stretchable member segment when in an unstretched condition;
- the first and second ends are riveted to the frame;
- the handle slot is a pocket defined in a coverstock of the seat; and
- the webbing and coverstock are constructed from the same material.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a seating assembly includes a retractable handle disposed in a handle slot of a seat. The retractable handle includes an elongate flexible body having first and second ends fixedly coupled with a seat frame and first and second stretchable members operably coupled with the first and second ends, respectively, and configured to draw down the elongate flexible body portion. A graspable webbing is disposed between the first and second stretchable members.
Embodiments of the second aspect of the disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:
-
- the first and second stretchable members are an elastic material;
- the first and second ends limit the distance of stretch of the first and second stretchable members;
- the first and second stretchable members include at least one stretchable member segment that is fixedly attached to a flexible body segment and wherein the flexible body segment includes a length greater than the stretchable member segment when in an unstretched condition;
- the first and second ends are riveted to the frame;
- the handle slot is a pocket defined in a coverstock of the seat; and
- the webbing and coverstock are constructed from the same material.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a seating assembly includes one of a seatback and a seat defining a handle slot and a retractable handle disposed in the handle slot. The retractable handle includes an elongate flexible body having first and second ends fixedly coupled with a seat frame and first and second stretchable members operably coupled with the first and second ends, respectively. A webbing is disposed between the first and second stretchable members, the webbing configured to be drawn away from the frame by a user which stretches the first and second stretchable members until the elongate flexible body is taut and the retractable handle is in a deployed position.
Embodiments of the third aspect of the disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:
-
- the retractable handle is disposed between adjacent seats;
- the first and second ends are fixedly coupled directly to the frame;
- the handle slot is a pocket defined in a coverstock of the seat; and
- the webbing and coverstock are constructed from the same material.
These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present disclosure will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
In the drawings:
For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in
In this document, relational terms, such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
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The retractable handles 22 as set forth herein provide easily graspable handles to accommodate passengers and which can easily be stored out of the way and hidden. The handles 22 are coupled with the frame and includes strong yet flexible body and stretchable members that counteract the graspable webbing.
It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or moveable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.
It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.
It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.
It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
Claims
1. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:
- a frame;
- a seat that includes a cushion and a cushion cover, the seat defining a handle slot, wherein the handle slot is a pocket defined in a coverstock of the seat;
- a retractable handle disposed in the handle slot and operable between a retracted position and a deployed position, the retractable handle comprising: an elongate flexible body having first and second ends fixedly coupled with the frame; first and second stretchable members operably coupled with the first and second ends, respectively, and configured to draw down a portion of the elongate flexible body; and a graspable webbing disposed between the first and second stretchable members, wherein the graspable webbing is configured to be grabbed by a user and drawn away from the frame which stretches the first and second stretchable members.
2. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second stretchable members are comprised of an elastic material.
3. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second ends limit the distance of stretch of the first and second stretchable members.
4. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second stretchable members include a stretchable member segment that is fixedly attached to a flexible body segment and wherein the flexible body segment includes a length greater than the stretchable member segment when in an unstretched condition.
5. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second ends are fastened to the frame.
6. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the graspable webbing and coverstock are constructed from the same material.
7. A seating assembly comprising:
- a retractable handle disposed in a handle slot of a seat, wherein the handle slot is a pocket defined in a coverstock of the seat, the retractable handle comprising: an elongate flexible body having first and second ends fixedly coupled with a seat frame; first and second stretchable members operably coupled with the first and second ends, respectively, and configured to draw down the elongate flexible body portion; and a graspable webbing disposed between the first and second stretchable members.
8. The seating assembly of claim 7 wherein the first and second stretchable members are an elastic material.
9. The seating assembly of claim 7 wherein the first and second ends limit the distance of stretch of the first and second stretchable members.
10. The seating assembly of claim 7 wherein the first and second stretchable members include at least one stretchable member segment that is fixedly attached to a flexible body segment and wherein the flexible body segment includes a length greater than the stretchable member segment when in an unstretched condition.
11. The seating assembly of claim 7 wherein the first and second ends are riveted to the frame.
12. The seating assembly of claim 7 wherein the graspable webbing and coverstock are constructed from the same material.
13. A seating assembly comprising:
- one of a seatback and a seat defining a handle slot, wherein the handle slot is a pocket defined in a coverstock of the seat;
- a retractable handle disposed in the handle slot and comprising: an elongate flexible body having first and second ends fixedly coupled with a seat frame; first and second stretchable members operably coupled with the first and second ends, respectively; and a webbing disposed between the first and second stretchable members, the webbing configured to be drawn away from the frame by a user which stretches the first and second stretchable members until the elongate flexible body is taut and the retractable handle is in a deployed position.
14. The seating assembly of claim 13 wherein the retractable handle is disposed between adjacent seats.
15. The seating assembly of claim 13 wherein the first and second ends are fixedly coupled directly to the frame.
16. The seating assembly of claim 13 wherein the webbing and coverstock are constructed from the same material.
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Type: Grant
Filed: May 30, 2018
Date of Patent: Nov 5, 2019
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Dearborn, MI)
Inventors: Kevin Mozurkewich (Livonia, MI), Marcos Silva Kondrad (Macomb Township, MI), Kevin Wayne Preuss (Berkley, MI)
Primary Examiner: Rodney B White
Application Number: 15/992,836
International Classification: B60N 3/02 (20060101); B60N 2/90 (20180101);